Research manager: Dr Hossein AbdolahiThe district of Tabriz city has the largest population in the east Azerbaijan province. Rural population of the city has been estimated 158731 people who receive their health care services from 47 health houses and 17 health centers in the area. In this programme, we are investigating the role of family physician in the detection and diagnosis of birth defects in the rural area of Tabriz city. Through this project, a valid and reliable questionnaire for assessment of the families for potential risk of congenital anomalies will be designed and familial aggregation of congenital anomalies will also be studied. Our program will eventually provide a pilot model to integrate the monitoring of the congenital anomalies in the family physician programme in the country.